High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 152: Chapter 76: Tears of Blood _1

The interruption by the blue crown rooster eased the tension in the study room.

Doctor Du Zemu tugged at his collar, a look of discomfort appearing on his sallow face.

”I apologize, this wall clock has been broken for quite some time.” The Doctor, as he randomly organized the manuscripts and books on the table, sounded rather hesitant: ”Actually, it’s not mealtime yet...but of course, if you’re hungry...”

”No, no.” Zheng Qing continuously shook his head.

He was genuinely not hungry.

”We actually need help with something else and didn’t want to bother you too much.” Jiang Yu added with a delightful smile.

This statement brought some relief to Doctor Du Zemu.

”So, what can I help you with?” The Doctor asked, rubbing his hands, showing enthusiasm: ”Please do tell.”

To him, as long as the Jiang Family was not here for an audit, all else was negotiable.

”We’ve been told that you have extensive knowledge in Alchemy, so we wanted to consult you on a few matters.” Jiang Yu, before diving into her questions, still complimented the doctor following the old tradition.

”I only specialize in the ’Life Alchemy’ of Alchemy,” Doctor Duzem carefully replied: ”I can only claim rudimentary knowledge in other sub-disciplines.”

”What I specifically wish to discuss is the ’Life Alchemy’.” Jiang Yu revealed a satisfied smile: ”My friend has some special partners who are in some trouble... we hope you could give us some advice.”

Saying this, she put down the teacup, took the carton from Zheng Qing’s arms, and gently placed it on the desk.

Doctor Du Zemu pondered, took out a pair of gold-framed glasses with straight legs from his pocket, and placed them on his nose bridge.

Zheng Qing noticed the long metal chain hanging from the glasses leg went into his earhole.

Like a slithering snake.

It was a bit creepy.

Jiang Yu didn’t seem to notice this detail; instead, she simply uncovered the carton, revealing what was hidden beneath the towel.

Doctor Du, through his thin lens and with the faint light coming from the window, carefully observed the small life inside the box.

”Oh, these are a bunch of green sprites.” The doctor sounded rather disappointed.

More accurately, he thought this was a waste of time.

For most wizards, these small lives which are active in all corners of daily life are no different than air or trees – they are important, yet not so important.

There was absolutely no need to spend this much time on a bunch of sprites.

And there was no need to involve an Alchemy Grandmaster like himself for these trivial matters.

He shook his head slightly, without saying anything else.

Since he already made a promise, he naturally wouldn’t go back on his word.

The doctor took a pair of golden silk gloves from the toolbox on the table and wore them. Then, with a pair of small tweezers and a fine probe, he carefully took out a sleeping sprite from the box, placed it in a silver tray, and began a basic examination.

The little sprite didn’t notice the cold instruments probing all over her body; she kept sleeping soundly.

There was an obscure feeling in Zheng Qing’s heart.

Doctor Du Zemu conducted the examination while analyzing his findings quietly.

”A standard green sprite, with no obvious signs of tampering.”

”No magical or physical injury traces, no foul odor or discoloration.”

”Skin is clean, no unusual smell; body temperature is somewhat low, but within a normal range; pupils are not dilated, and the breath is even. Overall, there are no abnormalities in vital life signs.”

”It’s not a plague.”

”Also no clear external injuries.”

At this point, the doctor raised his head and glancing at Jiang Yu with a strange look. He returned to his check-up, and while continuing his examination, he muttered: ”There are clear signs of aging around the eyes; deep sleep... these are sprites who have lost their masters.”

After the examination, Doctor Du Zemu turned to his guests with a firm assertion:

”The decree pattern is three units deep, and the strong light creates an obvious conditioned reflex in the eyes... It can be judged that the host died within the past month, perhaps within the last two weeks. And the death was unnatural.”

Zheng Qing was overjoyed, nodding his head quickly in agreement with the doctor’s judgement.

Jiang Yu wandered off bored.

In her view, such judgments and tasks were basic for the doctor.

By the window hung a delicate bird cage, inside which a pale yellow, fluffy bird was snoozing on a perch.

Jiang Yu bent her finger and flicked the bird cage lightly.

”Ding! Ding!”

The little yellow bird opened its black bean-like eyes, looked at the beautiful woman in front of it, blinked, then opened its mouth to sing happily: ”I have a pair of small wings, not fat at all, get up early every morning to chirp, always busy....”

Doctor Du Zemu looked up dissatisfied at the little yellow bird.

The little yellow bird obediently closed its beak, changed direction, and continued to snooze.

Jiang Yu raised her head with interest, seemingly wanting to ask something.

But seeing the busy doctor, she closed her mouth again.

”How is it? Can it be saved?” Zheng Qing looked anxiously at the doctor, holding his breath and praying quietly.

”Can, and cannot.” Doctor Du Zemu first nodded, then shook his head, reaching a conclusion that brought mixed feelings of surprise and joy to Zheng Qing.

”It can be saved?” His voice trembled: ”How?”

Doctor Du Zemu looked at him curiously, not knowing why this young wizard cared so much about a group of Green Sprites.

In his view, this might be a peculiar interest of the young wizard.

In the wizarding world, sprites are of a very low order, and not even recognized as sentient beings by the Wizard Covenant.

And among the sprites species, the Green Sprites are the lowest.

They lack the Phoenix-like talent of the Blue Sprites and do not possess the beautiful appearance of the White or Golden Sprites.

Their only advantage is their numbers.

And they’re cheap.

”For a wizard, there is nothing impossible in the world.” Doctor Du Zemu gently told the young man in front of him: ”The only difference is the cost.”

”Cost.” Zheng Qing muttered.

”There are many ways to save these little sprites, but strictly speaking, they are not cost-effective.” Doctor Du Zemu got down to the nitty-gritty: ”Leave aside those potions or magic that raise the dead or invert yin and yang, there are many ways within your means to restore these sprites.”

As he spoke, he looked at Jiang Yu.

”For instance, you could ask a senior professor from Atlas Academy to perform the ’Great Blessing’. According to prices a few years ago, application would cost between one thousand to two thousand jade coins... If you are willing to pay extra for rush service, these sprites might be able to wake up tonight and sing happily by your ear.”

Zheng Qing gave a dry laugh, not daring to continue the topic.

He was joking. Not to mention the extra rush fee, he didn’t even know where to get the thousand jade coins from.

Maybe Doctor Du Zemu thought that friends of Miss Jiang of the Jiang family were as rich as Miss Jiang herself.

”Or, you could buy a ’Demon Pact’ from a Wandering Wizard. The price won’t be too high, for about a hundred jade coins you can get a contract drafted by a sufficiently powerful Demon Lord. The only problem is, you don’t know what these demons will take from you. It could be a part of your soul, or a part of your body, of course, their favorite thing is to drag a wizard into the abyss of fall... You know the Wandering Wizard, the owner of the Wandering Bar.”

Zheng Qing nodded repeatedly: ”I know, I know, I have his gold card.”

”Then it’s even simpler, you should know his capabilities... and the price will probably be even cheaper.” Doctor Du Zemu looked at this inconspicuous young man in surprise: ”Why didn’t you go to that Wandering Wizard for help first? He is well-travelled, perhaps he can give you good advice.”

”Everyone says he’s a Black Wizard.” Zheng Qing hesitated for a long time before finally admitting: ”My friends all advised me not to trade with him.”

”You good kids raised by your families all have this or that taboo about dealing with Wandering Wizards.” The doctor nodded knowingly, then shook his head: ”Narrow-minded.”

”Are there any other ways?” It was quite clear that Jiang Yu did not like the second option, so she asked further.

”If you treat the symptoms but not the root cause, there are more options.” The doctor did not elaborate on each, simply providing a brief introduction: ”The fog liquor made from the evaporated substance of Nine Revolutions Golden Pill, the soaking solution of the Philosopher’s Stone, the royal jelly of Sand Hour... can all temporarily prolong the lives of these sprites. The duration varies depending on the dosage. Maybe one and a half years, maybe only one or two months, or even shorter. If you don’t mind, I have a way to wake up your sprites for one or two weeks at least...”

”Doctor, your eyes!” Jiang Yu suddenly exclaimed from one side.

Zheng Qing looked up and was horrified to discover that two lines of blood tears were slowly trickling down from Doctor Du Zemu’s eyes.